Crunching the numbers at TAFE

When it comes to quality tertiary education, university is not the only option.

Just ask Julia Laczko, owner-operator of bookkeeping company Freeform Business Services, who says, Gold Coast TAFE gave her the skills needed to further develop her business.

“Having previously been to university, but not finishing, I was surprised with how much practical work was involved and how little theory was required,” says Laczko.

“I had already had a bookkeeping business but was looking to enhance my knowledge so I could pass that on to clients and grow my business.”

Finishing a diploma of accounting in June ’09 at 45 years of age, Laczko says you are never too old to better yourself.

“The more knowledge you have the better. I had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to build up my clientele and add extra value to the services I was providing,” she says.

“Another motivating factor was that upon completion I would be BAS accredited and could become a full member of the Association of Accounting Technicians Australia.

“As a single mother, the 18-month course was difficult to complete and I had to knock back some work due to time restraints, but I’m really pleased I’ve done it.”

Gold Coast Institute of TAFE (GCIT), is long regarded as one of the Gold Coast region’s leading training centres for the trades.

It has simultaneously forged a reputation for being an internationally renowned provider of outstanding vocational services in the business, finance, IT, multimedia and real estate arenas.

Graduates are continually in high demand by employers from around the world as GCIT delivers currency, industry relevance and a real world approach to its training.

As part of the TAFE Queensland network, GCIT has been operating as a statutory authority since July 2009, yet still enjoys the security of being a government education facility with nationally recognised qualifications.

Five campuses spanning across Ashmore, Coolangatta, Coomera and Southport now boast enrolments of more than 16,000 students annually.

Students at GCIT receive the support they need to successfully complete their qualification and form a strong foundation from which to launch their future careers.